(last updated: 2006-03-09)

DEC RX78 Dual Floppy

Model: RX78-WA
Serial No: WF46612
Mfg date:

Acquisition

February 20, 2006
Longmont, Colorado
This is one of several systems that were part of a single, sizable pickup

Configuration

This sub-system houses a typical RX02 assembly in a desktop enclosure.

Operational Status

* untested pending PS checkout *

(date)

Description

Cleanup

March 5, 2006

Both drive doors were closed during pickup and shipment, and when I opened them in preparation for cleaning I found a floppy disk in Drive 0 with a label that reads: "System Disk 11-Mar-79 / FB Monitor / FORTRAN MACRO". This will go into my floppy collection for later examination.

This unit was fairly clean externally, and I used 'baby wipes' to quickly clean the exterior. However, when I opened the top cover, I could see a very significant accumulation of dust. It appears that this unit was operated without the top cover in place for some time in a fairly dusty environment. I vacuumed every nook and cranny that was accessible to the vacuum hose.

I went ahead and removed the RX02 assembly from the chassis so that I could get better access to do my cleanup. Several screws are missing from the controller board. I removed the controller PCB, the front bezel, and the fan plenum on the back. I also removed all power, data, and control cables to both drives, and removed their mounting screws attaching the PCB and power supply tray. One of the mounting screws for Drive 0 is missing, and each of the five remaining screws were loose!.

Everything was very dirty! I vacuumed what I could, and used a toothbrush to reach the difficult spots. I discovered that if I remove the door/handle from each drive, the flip-up with the passive hub could be raised to a nearly 45-degree postition, allowing much better access to the internals of the drive.

I relubricated the work gear on each drive with "Dupont Teflon Multi-Purpose Lubricant" wich is a dry teflon material, and I have had good success with it on my PDP-11/23 Plus drives.

Everything was reassembled in reverse order. I left the 'missing screw' on Drive 0 in the power supply area, since it is hardest to reach. I also located a spare screw to secure the controller board in at least one spot. Everything went back together very nicely, and it looks good.

Needed or Missing Items

mounting screw for Drive 1 (x1)
mounting screw for controller PCB (x3)

Still To Do

checkout power supply

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